Albus didn't get to retort because at that second McGonagall stood up and started speaking. "I hope this year is full of learning and new friendships. "She said with a smile. "Prefects please take the first years up into your house dormitories. First years just look for the person shouting prefect." McGonagall said with a smile which made older students have to do a double take but only made Annabeth chuckle making Professor McGonagall smile a little larger. "Thank you. That will be all."

Annabeth, Chapter 6

Chapter 6, Year 1

It's been a few weeks since the sorting, making it the end of September. Annabeths health is fine but that's not what Professor McGonagall is worried about. Annabeth has been keeping to herself lately, only making acquaintances with her fellow classmates. She was being extremely nice to them all but wouldn't let a conversation go longer than necessary. Annabeth even started to eat her meals at the end of the Gryffindor table, alone reading a book.

Annabeth could tell that Professor McGonagall was getting worried about her but didn't understand the problem. Lots of the other students kept to themselves as well.

Professor McGonagall got so concerned about Annabeth that she sought out an older student to help get Annabeth out of her comfort zone. This student was Teddy Lupin, the Gryffindor Head Boy; for the best effect she even told Teddy how Annabeth was just recently orphaned.

The next day Teddy went to where Annabeth was sitting, trying to look nonchalant, and failing, but he sat across from her anyway.

"Hi," he said awkwardly as she watched him confused.

"Hi.."

"So, how are you?" Teddy said trying to ease into the conversation. He discreetly looked back at McGonagall, though not discreetly enough because Annabeth caught on right away.

Annabeth sighed, "What did she tell you?" Annabeth asked picking up her fork.

"Who? Nothing." He said defensively.

"Oh, so Professor McGonagall didn't tell you to come over here and talk to me?" she asked dropping her fork and then picking it up again, she did this repeatedly, The fork somehow barely making any noise at all.

"Um… I,"

"She probably told you about my parents," Annabeth raised her eyebrows, collecting her things from the table, her lunch long forgotten. "Thinking you being an orphan as well, you would be able to help me. Hate to break it to you. But I don't need help, and even if I did you wouldn't be able to." He went to interrupt but she kept talking, "We're different," she finally stood up with all her books. She then spoke softly, "Different lives. Different stories. Different people. Okay?" she asked as he nodded, still sitting on the bench. She smiled at him her momentary anger completely forgotten and walked out of the great hall. McGonagall, of course saw this exchange, and gave a tired smile to Teddy who looked apologetic. McGonagall wasn't mad at Teddy. She hadn't really thought it would work, But it was worth a try.

Not many people saw what happened but one person did; and Albus knows exactly what Annabeth needed. A Friend.